Knowledge, attitudes and practices in a group of pharmacists in Puerto Rico regarding emergency contraception

BACKGROUND: The recent FDA approval of non-prescription sales of Plan B, an emergency contraceptive method to those 18 years old and over, gives a prominent role to pharmacists in providing timely access to emergency contraception (EC). While this decision affects Puerto Rico, no studies on non-prescription EC in Puerto Rico have been conducted. The purpose of this study is to identify the knowledge, attitudes and practices of a group of pharmacists in Puerto Rico regarding emergency contraceptive pills. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study of a group of pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding EC was conducted among those who attended the annual convention of the College of Pharmacists of Puerto Rico on August 24-26, 2006. RESULTS: Slightly more than half of pharmacists surveyed (51.4%) supported a law that allows them to dispense EC without a prescription. Yet, overall EC knowledge was low given that the average number of knowledge questions answered correctly was 1.8 (SD+/-1.36) out of 6. Pharmacists who correctly answered knowledge questions about EC, whose pharmacy dispensed EC, and who felt comfortable giving information to a client about EC were significantly more likely to support the non-prescription EC law. CONCLUSION: Knowledge about EC was low among the pharmacists that were surveyed, but there was support for a non-prescription EC policy in Puerto Rico. Increased education efforts are needed in this important group of allied health professionals.

Abortion in Puerto Rico: the limits of a colonial legality.

This paper situates the current abortion practice and policy in Puerto Rico within the historical, political, and economic context of the colonial domination of the United States (US) over Puerto Rico. In particular, we pay attention to the hurdles that women face to obtain abortion services in Puerto Rico as a result of its colonial legality. Of particular significance is the overall low abortion ratio, and differential abortion ratio and access issues faced by women when grouped by an age-ethnicity category: unmarried teenagers, adult Puerto Rican women and, adult immigrant women from the Dominican Republic. The present hurdles to abortion access--related to information, abortion providers, economic situation, and government policies--are discussed within the colonial legality of abortion based on the US Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade. Puerto Rico's case is situated within its broader history of population policies developed by the State since the 1930's. Of particular relevance is the antagonism that State managers have had towards abortion in spite of its legality. In this sense, abortion in Puerto Rico continues to be an unfinished business, in spite of its legality.

Abortion in Puerto Rico: the limits of a colonial legality

This paper situates the current abortion practice and policy in Puerto Rico within the historical, political, and economic context of the colonial domination of the United States (US) over Puerto Rico. In particular, we pay attention to the hurdles that women face to obtain abortion services in Puerto Rico as a result of its colonial legality. Of particular significance is the overall low abortion ratio, and differential abortion ratio and access issues faced by women when grouped by an age-ethnicity category: unmarried teenagers, adult Puerto Rican women and, adult immigrant women from the Dominican Republic. The present hurdles to abortion access--related to information, abortion providers, economic situation, and government policies--are discussed within the colonial legality of abortion based on the US Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade. Puerto Rico's case is situated within its broader history of population policies developed by the State since the 1930's. Of particular relevance is the antagonism that State managers have had towards abortion in spite of its legality. In this sense, abortion in Puerto Rico continues to be an unfinished business, in spite of its legality (Au)